FIND CHINA introduces Dali

Dali is a city in Yunnan province in the south of China popular to backpackers, located on a fertile plateau between the Cangshan Mountains to the west and Erhai Lake to the east. It is also the capital of the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture. Dali is one of Yunnan's most popular tourist destinations, both for its historic sites and the "Foreigners' Street" that features western-style food, music, and English-speaking business owners, making it popular among both western and Chinese tourists, who are bemused at the foreigners.

There are also multiple "coffee shops", such as those in Amsterdam, where foreigners smoke marijuana that grows in the hills surrounding the town.

Transportation in Dali is well connected with a freeway between Dali and Chuxiong And railway between Dali and Guangtong. The Dali Airport is also close at hand.

Dali City has plenty of sunshine and mild weather during each season and belongs to the low latitude highland monsoon climate. With an annual average temperature 15.1 C and an average yearly precipitation of 1,100 mm, it's neither too hot nor too cold in Dali City. So it's suitable to travel in Dali City all year round. However, since the most famous Dali Four Scenes, Snow of Cangshan Mountain, Moon of Erhai Lake, Flower of Shangguan and Wind of Xiaguan is a must-see for every tourist.

Most of the best and charming restaurants in the Xiaguan/ Dali area are in the ancient city (Dali Gucheng); where the town is mostly inhabited by ethnic Bai people their Bai cuisine being an important aspect of the culture. Some famous Bai dishes are earthenware pot fish, the "three cups of tea" and milk fan, a kind of dairy product like cheese. These authentic Bai dishes can be found in Dali Gucheng at the Bailixiang and Jingjing Snack House. The Apricot Flower Restaurant also has Bai food and other Chinese regional food. But what have really made Dali famous among foreign travellers are the small backpacker cafes, guesthouses and restaurants on Huguo Lu. Also known as "foreigner's street", this street boasts some great restaurants serving a full range of Western, Yunnan, Bai and Chinese dishes. Each of these restaurants has their own distinct features and menu. Some of the most frequented cafes are the Tibetan Cafe, Cafe De Jack, the Old Wooden House and the Sunshine Cafe. Yunnan Cafe, Dali Window and Claire's Cafe are also very popular. Food is not the only reason people come to the cafes in Dali, the cafes also offer a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, cool music and cold beer. Many places also have comprehensive travel information, ticket booking service and bicycle rental.